Apparatus for driving an optical disc and method thereof

ABSTRACT

An optical disc driving apparatus requiring a fewer number of parts, simpler structure, less assembly cost, thus having a lower product price. According to the optical disc driving apparatus, a base plate on which a spindle motor and a pickup unit are mounted is moved to optical disc loading and chucking positions together with a caddy by physical force exerted to the caddy inserted into the deck base. The base plate is locked by a locking means and positioned. In this situation, an information is recorded and/or reproduced on/from the optical disc. In an ejection mode, the pickup unit is moved in a radial direction of the optical disc so that the base plate is unlocked and is moved to the initial position. Here, the physical force is a pressing force exerted by a user. Accordingly, the optical disc driving apparatus can be compact-sized, and conveniently utilized as a caddy-type as well as a tray-type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for driving anoptical disc, in which an information is recorded and/or reproducedon/from an optical disc by an optical means, and more particularly to anapparatus for driving an optical disc and a method thereof which employsa manual-type disc loading structure.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Generally, an optical disc driving apparatus comprises a deckbase, a loading/unloading means, a rotation means, and arecording/reproducing means. The deck base forms a body of the opticaldisc driving apparatus. The loading/unloading means loads or unloads theoptical disc onto/from the deck base. The rotation means rotates theoptical disc loaded by the loading/unloading means. Therecording/reproducing means records and/or reproduces an informationon/from the optical disc, while traveling in radial direction of theoptical disc which is rotated by the rotation means. Here, the opticaldisc may be loaded or unloaded while mounted on a tray. There arevarious types of optical disc driving apparatuses such as one having theoptical disc received into a caddy or a cartridge to be inserted orwithdrawn into/from the deck base, or the like. A spindle motor isgenerally used as the rotation means, and a pickup unit is used as therecording/reproducing means.

[0005]FIG. 1 shows a conventional tray-type optical disc drivingapparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical disc driving apparatuscomprises a deck base 1, a base plate 10 on which the spindle motor andpickup unit are mounted, a tray 20 on which an optical disc D is mounteda tray moving means 30, a base plate raising and lowering means 40, andan upper cover 50.

[0006] The deck base 1 is provided with a pair of sidewalls 2 and 3, arear wall 4, and a front bottom 5 which has a predetermined width. Apair of holes 6 a and 6 b are defined at a rear portion of the sidewalls2 and 3.

[0007] The base plate 10 has a pair of hinge projections 11 a and 11 bformed at both rear ends thereof. The base plate 10 is movably mountedon the deck base 1 by the hinge projections 11 a and 11 b which arerespectively inserted into the holes 6 a and 6 b of the deck base 1. Aspindle motor 12 and a pickup unit 13 are mounted on the base plate 10.The spindle motor 12 has a turntable 12 a onto which a disc D ispositioned. The pickup unit 13 has an optical head 13 a. The spindlemotor 12 is attached adjacent to a longitudinal opening 10 a of the baseplate 10, and the pickup unit 13 is movably disposed at a pair ofguiding shafts 14 a and 14 b which lie across the longitudinal opening10 a in parallel relation to each other. Additionally, a stepping motor15 is installed at a side of the base plate 10, and a lead screw 15 a isinstalled at the stepping motor 15 in parallel relation to the guidingshafts 14 a and 14 b. The lead screw 15 a is engaged with a guidingholder 13 b which is formed at a side of the pickup unit 13.Accordingly, when the stepping motor 15 is rotated in one direction andreverse direction thereof, the pickup unit 13 is moved along the guidingshafts 14 a and 14 b.

[0008] The tray 20 is disposed on an upper side of the deck base 1capable of being inserted and withdrawn with respect to the deck base 1.A receiving opening 20 a is defined approximately at the middle portionof the tray 20 to receive the spindle motor 12, and a longitudinalopening 20 b is so designed as to intercommunicate with the receivinghole 20 a and to expose the recordable surface of the optical disc Dmounted on the tray 20 to the pickup unit 13. Additionally, a rack gear21 is disposed on a lower surface of the tray 20 in a lengthwisedirection of the tray 20, and an operation member 22 having a cam grooveis disposed adjacent to the receiving opening 20 a.

[0009] The tray moving means 30 is provided on the bottom 5 of the deckbase 1, and the base plate raising and lowering means 40 is suchconstructed to operate together with the tray moving means 30.

[0010] The tray moving means 30 is provided with the rack gear 21disposed on the tray 20, a pinion 31, and a motor 32 which generates adriving force. The pinion 31 is rotatably disposed on the bottom of thedeck base 1 by a shaft. The motor 32 is disposed on a lower surface ofthe bottom 5 of the deck base 1 and a driving shaft of the motor 32 isprotruded upward through the bottom 5 of the deck base 1. The drivingforce of the motor 32 is transmitted to the pinion 31 via gear train 33.The gear train 33 has a first gear 33 a fixed to the driving shaft ofthe motor 32, a second gear 33 b engaged with the first gear 33 a, athird gear 33 c integrally formed with the second gear 33 b, a fourthgear 33 d engaged with the third gear 33 c, a fifth gear 33 e integrallyformed with the fourth gear 33 d, and a sixth gear 33 f integrallyformed with the pinion 31 to be engaged with the fifth gear 33 e. Here,when the motor 32 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the tray 20 isadvanced so as to be inserted into the deck base 1. When the motor 32 isrotated in the counterclockwise direction, the tray 20 is retracted soas to be withdrawn from the deck base 1.

[0011] The base plate raising and lowering means 40 has a slide member41 and a pivot lever 42. The slide member 41 is disposed in an innerside of the bottom 5 of the deck base 1 so as to be moved inperpendicular relation to the direction which the tray 20 is movedtoward. The pivot lever 42 is disposed on the bottom 5 of the deck base1 by a shaft, while connected to an end of the slide member 41.

[0012] A pair of cam grooves 41 a and 41 b are defined at a side surfaceof the slide member 41. A pair of operation projections 16 a and 16 bare projected from the front surface of the base plate 10 while beingspaced from each other at a predetermined distance. The operationprojections 16 a and 16 b are inserted into the cam grooves 41 a and 41b. Additionally, a rack 41 c is formed at the other side of the slidemember 41. The rack 41 c is selectively engaged with the sixth gear 33 fof the gear train 33. Accordingly, when the sixth gear 33 f is rotatedin one direction and the reverse direction thereof, the slide member 41is moved. Initially, when the tray 20 is not inserted into the deck base1, the rack 41 c is not engaged with the sixth gear 33 f but spacedtherefrom at a predetermined distance.

[0013] Further, a projection 41 d is formed on an upper portion of theslide member 41. When the tray 20 is inserted into the deck base 1, theprojection 41 d is inserted into the cam groove of the operation member22 which is formed on the tray 20. By the projection 41 d inserted intothe cam groove of the operation member 22, the slide member 41 isslightly moved when the tray 20 is inserted. Accordingly, the rack 41 cof the slide member 41 is engaged with the sixth gear 33 f, and as thesixth gear 33 f is rotated, the slide member 41 is continuously moved.By the slide member 41 which is moved, the operation projections 16 aand 16 b of the base plate 10, which are positioned at a lower portionof the cam grooves 41 a and 41 b, are raised along the inclined surfacesof the cam grooves 41 a and 41 b to be positioned at the upper ends ofthe cam grooves 41 a and 41 b. By the rising motion of the base plate10, the optical disc D mounted on the tray 20 is put on the turntable 12a of the spindle motor 12 to be rotated by the turntable 12 a.

[0014] Meanwhile, the pivot lever 42 has a slider 43 which is insertedinto a boss 41 e of the slide member 41. The slider 43 is accommodatedat an opening of the pivot lever 42. A spring 44 for elasticallysupporting the slider 43 is disposed in the opening. Due to the presenceof the slider 43 and the spring 44, the slide member 41 maintains itsinitial state, in which the rack 41 c and the sixth gear 33 f are spacedfrom each other.

[0015] A clamp assembly 51 is provided on the cover 50, to be moved inresponse to inserting the tray 20, and to press against the hub of theoptical disc D.

[0016] Hereinafter, the operation of the conventional tray-type opticaldisc driving apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5accompanied.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the deck base 1 showing the state whenthe disc is unloaded, that is, the tray is withdrawn from the deck base1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 for showing the position ofthe base plate 10 when the tray is withdrawn.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the tray 20 is completely withdrawn out ofthe deck base 1, and the slide member 41 is moved leftward. The rack 41c of the slide member 41 and the sixth gear 33 f of the gear train 33are spaced from each other, and the operation projections 16 a and 16 bof the base plate 10 are positioned at the lower ends of the cam grooves41 a and 41 b of the slide member 41. Thus, the base plate 10 is in alowered position.

[0019] Then, when the tray 20 on which the optical disc D is mounted ismanually pushed or when a separate loading switch is pushed, the loadingmotor 32 is driven so that the tray 20 is advanced. Accordingly, thetray 20 is inserted into the deck base 1.

[0020] When the tray 20 is almost inserted into the deck base 1, andmore specifically when the operation member 22 of the tray 20 and theprojection 41 d of the slide member 41 are so placed as to be in contactwith each other, the projection 41 d is inserted into the cam groove ofthe operation member 22 to move the slide member 41 toward the rightside of FIG. 2. Accordingly, the rack 41 c of the slide member 41 andthe sixth gear 33 f of the gear train 33 are engaged with each other,and the slide member 41 is further moved rightward along with the tray20 which is advanced. Continuously, the operation projections 16 a and16 b of the base plate 10 positioned at the lower ends of the camgrooves 41 a and 41 b of the slide member 41 are moved along theinclined surfaces of the cam grooves 41 a and 41 b to be positioned atthe upper ends of the cam grooves 41 a and 41 b so that the base plate10 is raised.

[0021]FIGS. 4 and 5 are a plan view and a sectional view of the deckbase 1 showing the state when the tray 20 is inserted in the deck base1, that is, the disc is loaded in the deck base 1.

[0022] As shown, the tray 20 is inserted into the deck base 1, and theslide member 41 is on the right side of FIG. 4. Further, the operationprojections 16 a and 16 b of the base plate 10 are positioned at theupper ends of the cam grooves 41 a and 41 b of the slide member 41 sothat the base plate 10 is maintained in a raised position.

[0023] By the rising motion of the base plate 10, the optical disc Dmounted on the tray 20 is chucked on the turntable 12 a of the spindlemotor 12, while simultaneously clamped by the clamp assembly 51 of thecover 50. In such a situation, the spindle motor 32 is driven so thatthe optical disc D is rotated at a predetermined speed. Further, by thestepping motor 15 which is driven, the pickup unit 13 is moved in aradial direction of the optical disc D and records/reproducesinformation on/from the optical disc D.

[0024] Meanwhile, when the eject button is pushed to withdraw theoptical disc D whose information recording/reproducing is completed, theloading motor 32 is driven in the reverse direction so that the tray 20is withdrawn. Simultaneously, the slide member 41 which is engaged withthe sixth gear 33 f of the gear train 33 is moved toward a left side ofFIG. 4. Accordingly, the operation projections 16 a and 16 b of the baseplate 10 inserted into the cam grooves 41 a and 41 b of the slide member41 are moved along the inclined surface of the cam grooves 41 a and 41 bto be positioned at the lower ends of the cam grooves 41 a and 41 b sothat the base plate 10 is lowered. Also, the tray 20 is completelywithdrawn from the deck base 1. Then, after the optical disc D isreplaced, if the separate loading switch is pushed or the tray 20 ismanually pushed, the tray 20 is inserted into the deck base 1 accordingto the disc loading processes as described above.

[0025] The conventional optical disc driving apparatus, however, has adrawback in that it has structures for loading or unloading the opticaldisc D and for raising and lowering the base plate 10 using the loadingmotor, thereby requiring many parts and resulting in a complex structureof the product.

[0026] Since many parts are required for the conventional optical discdriving apparatus, the manufacturing cost and process are increased.

[0027] Also, since many parts are required, the product cannot havesmaller size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The present invention has been made to overcome theabove-mentioned problems, and accordingly, it is the first object of thepresent invention to provide an optical disc driving apparatus employinga manual-type disc loading structure instead of using the loading motor,by which the number of parts is reduced, structure is simplified, andthe product price can be less.

[0029] Another object of the present invention is to provide an opticaldisc driving apparatus having relatively less number of parts, whichresults in much smaller product.

[0030] A further object of the present invention is to provide anoptical disc driving apparatus capable of being utilized as a caddy-typeas well as a tray-type.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide a methodfor driving an optical disc for performing manual-type discloading/unloading processes without using a loading motor.

[0032] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide amethod for driving an optical disc, by selecting one of the caddy-typeoptical disc or tray-type optical disc, respectively.

[0033] The objects mentioned above are accomplished by an optical discdriving apparatus of the present invention in which a base plate onwhich a disc rotation means and an optical device are mounted is movedto optical loading and chucking positions together with a caddy byphysical force exerted to the caddy which is inserted into the deckbase. The base plate such moved is locked by a locking means andpositioned thereat. In such situation, an information is recorded and/orreproduced on/from the optical disc by the optical disc rotation meansand the optical device. The base plate is moved to its initial positionby manipulating an eject button for unlocking the base plate.

[0034] Here, the physical force is a pressing force exerted by the user.Further, the optical disc rotation means is a spindle motor having aturntable, and the optical device is a pickup unit having an opticalhead.

[0035] The optical disc driving apparatus according to the presentinvention comprises a meats for guiding the movement of the base plateto the optical disc loading and chucking positions. The guiding meanscomprises a pair of sliding holes respectively defined at rear portionsof both sidewalls of the deck base, facing each other; a pair of camgrooves having inclined surfaces of a predetermined degree, formed atthe front portions of both sidewalls of the deck base while facing eachother; a pair of first guiding projections formed at both rear portionsof the base plate, to be inserted into the sliding holes; and a pair ofsecond guiding projections formed at both front portions of the baseplate, to be inserted into the cam grooves.

[0036] The base plate locking means comprises a locking hole defined ata side surface of the base plate; a locker having a locking lever to beselectively inserted into the locking hole, and pivotally mounted to thedeck base by a pin; and a spring disposed at the pin of the locker, toelastically support the locker in a counterclockwise direction.

[0037] The ejection means comprises a means for unlocking the baseplate; and an elastic means for elastically supporting the base plate soas to return the base plate to the initial position in response tounlocking the base plate by the unlocking means. Here, a rear endsurface of the caddy is locked with a pair of locking projections formedat a rear portion of the base plate so that the caddy is withdrawn whilethe base plate is moved to the initial position. Further, the unlockingmeans comprises an unlocking projection formed at an upper surface of alocking piece which is integrally formed at the locker; and an unlockinglever integrally formed at the pickup unit to be selectively in contactwith the unlocking projection, to push the unlocking projection inresponse to the movement of the pickup unit so as to rotate the locker.The pickup unit is rapidly moved in a radial direction of the opticaldisc in the ejection mode. By the pickup unit which is such moved, theunlocking projection of the locker is pushed by the unlocking lever, andaccordingly, the locker is rotated to unlock the base plate.

[0038] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention,an optical disc driving apparatus comprises a deck base, a caddy onwhich an optical disc is mounted, and a base plate on which a spindlemotor and a pickup unit are mounted. The deck base has a pair of slidingholes and a pair of cam grooves. The caddy is inserted into the deckbase by physical force. The base plate is supported by the sliding holesand the cam grooves. Further, the base plate is elastically supported bya pair of springs in one direction. Accordingly, when the physical forceis exerted to the base plate, the base plate is advanced and retractedand simultaneously, the base plate is raised and lowered to apredetermined degree by the cam grooves of the deck base. A pair oflocking projections in contact with a rear end of the caddy is formed ata rear portion of the base plate. Accordingly, by the physical forceexerted to the caddy, the base plate is moved to the optical discloading and chucking positions together with the caddy. The base platesuch moved is locked by a locking means and positioned thereat. In suchsituation, a n information is recorded and/or reproduced on/from theoptical disc by the spindle motor and the pickup unit. When theinformation recording and/or reproducing is completed, the optical discis ejected by manipulating the eject button. Meanwhile, a guiding slideris disposed at a sidewall of the deck base in a lengthwise direction, toguide the movement of the caddy which is inserted into the deck base.The guiding slider is advanced/retracted in a range of a predeterminedstroke, and is elastically supported by a spring toward one direction. Alever is disposed at the guiding slider to unlock the base plate. Whenthe physical force is exerted to the guiding slider from outside, theguiding slider is advanced and unlocks the base plate. The user mayoperate the guiding slider when the need arises. Accordingly, when theoptical disc driving apparatus stops operating due to an abnormality, orthe like, the user may operate the guiding slider and forcibly withdrawthe caddy outward.

[0039] According to the second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the optical disc driving apparatus further comprises a caddyholding means. The caddy holding means holds the cover of the caddywhich is withdrawn from the deck base so as to permit an exclusivewithdrawal of the caddy tray. The user may operate the caddy holdingmeans as he wishes, and accordingly, the optical disc driving apparatuscan be utilized as a caddy-type as well as a tray-type. The caddyholding means comprises a holder movably mounted to a hole defined atthe front side of the deck base, having a locking protrusion formed atan upper portion thereof, and the movement projection formed at thefront portion thereof to protrude through a movement hole defined at thefront panel; and at least one locking elevation formed at both sides ofthe back of the caddy cover.

[0040] Meanwhile, other objects are accomplished by a method for drivingan optical disc comprising steps of (A) loading an optical disc, whereina base plate on which a spindle motor and a pickup unit are mounted ismoved to optical disc loading and chucking positions by physical forceexerted to the caddy which is inserted into the deck base; (B) lockingthe base plate which is moved to the optical disc loading and chuckingpositions; (C) recording and/or reproducing an information by means ofthe spindle motor and the pickup unit; and (D) unloading the opticaldisc, wherein the pickup unit is rapidly moved in a radial direction ofthe optical disc so as to unlock the base plate and to move the baseplate to the initial position.

[0041] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention,the method for driving the optical disc further comprises an emergencyejection step (E) for forcibly unlocking the base plate so as toforcibly withdraw the caddy when an abnormality occurs during the step(C).

[0042] According to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a method for driving an optical disc further comprises a step(F) after the step (D), for holding the cover of the caddy which iswithdrawn so as to permit an exclusive withdrawal of the caddy tray outof the deck base.

[0043] Since the optical disc driving apparatus of the present inventionhas an ejection structure employing a manual-type disc loading structureand pickup unit, it requires fewer number of parts in comparison withthe conventional one whose disc loading and unloading structure utilizesa loading motor.

[0044] Further, according to the optical disc driving apparatus of thepresent invention, since the structure for a driving force transmissiongear train composed of a loading motor, or a plurality of gears are notrequired, the product can have smaller size.

[0045] Still further, since the optical disc driving apparatus can beutilized as a caddy-type as well as a tray-type, the user has theconvenience in using the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The above object and advantages will be more apparent bydescribing the preferred embodiment in greater detail with reference tothe drawings accompanied, in which:

[0047]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventionaloptical disc driving apparatus;

[0048]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a conventional optical disc drivingapparatus from which a tray is withdrawn;

[0049]FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a position of a base platewherein a tray is withdrawn as shown in FIG. 2;

[0050]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a conventional optical disc drivingapparatus to which a tray is inserted;

[0051]FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a position of the base platewherein a tray is inserted as shown in FIG. 4;

[0052]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the optical disc drivingapparatus of the present invention wherein a disc is unloaded;

[0053]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the optical disc drivingapparatus of the present invention wherein a disc is loaded;

[0054]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the main section ofan optical disc driving apparatus according to the present invention;

[0055]FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view showing the caddy employedinto an optical disc driving apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0056]FIG. 10 is a detailed view for showing the structure and operationof unlocking means of the base plate of an optical disc drivingapparatus according to the present invention;

[0057]FIG. 11 is a detailed view for showing the structure and operationof the emergency ejection means of an optical disc driving apparatusaccording to the present invention;

[0058]FIG. 12 is a detailed view for showing the structure and operationof the caddy holding means of an optical disc driving apparatusaccording to the present invention;

[0059]FIGS. 13 and 14 are operational diagrams of a base plate which ismoved in response to loading/unloading a disc in the optical discdriving apparatus according to the present invention, wherein

[0060]FIG. 13 shows a state that the caddy is not yet inserted, and

[0061]FIG. 14 shows a state that the caddy is inserted;

[0062]FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining the method for driving anoptical disc according to one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0063]FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining the method for driving anoptical disc according to another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0064]FIG. 17 is a flow chart for explaining the method for driving anoptical disc according to yet another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0065]FIG. 6 shows an optical disc driving apparatus according to onepreferred embodiment of the present invention wherein a caddy iswithdrawn and an optical disc is unloaded. FIG. 7 shows the state thatthe caddy is inserted, that is, the optical disc is loaded. Further,FIG. 8 shows the main section of optical disc driving apparatusaccording to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Reference numeral 100 in the drawings designates a deck base, 200is a base plate, and 300 is a caddy.

[0067] As shown in the FIGs, the deck base 100 has both sidewalls 101and 102 so arranged to face each other, a rear wall 103, and a bottom104 which has a predetermined width. A plate 110 is coupled to a lowerportion of the deck base 100, while a cover 120 is coupled to an upperportion of the deck base 100. A front panel 130 having a caddy entrance130 a is coupled to a front portion of the deck base 100. The lowerplate 110 is fixed to the deck base 100 by a plurality of screws 111,the upper cover 120 is coupled to the lower plate 110 by a hook assembly121, and the front panel 130 is coupled to the front surface of theupper cover 120 by a hook assembly 131.

[0068] A pair of sliding holes 105 a are defined at both sidewalls 101and 102 of the deck base 100, while facing each other. (Albeit notshown, another sliding hole 105 a is defined at the other sidewall 102of the deck base 100, having an identical structure with the slidinghole 105 a of the sidewall 101.) Additionally, a pair of cam grooves 106a are defined at front portions of sidewalls 101 and 102 of the deckbase 100, while facing each other. (Albeit not shown, another cam groove106 a is also defined at the other sidewall 102 of the deck base 100.) Areference numeral 107 designates a boss, and 108 a is a spring holdingprojection. Further, 130 b designates an emergency ejection hole, and130 c is a movement hole.

[0069] The base plate 200 is provided with two pairs of holdingprojections 201 a, 201 b, 202 a, and 202 b, and is movably disposedbetween both sidewalls 101 and 102 of the deck base 100. The firstholding projections 201 a and 201 b are inserted into the sliding holes105 a of the deck base 100, and the second holding projections 202 a and202 b are inserted into the cam grooves 106 a of the deck base 100,whereby the base plate 200 is slidably mounted to the deck base 100. Thebase plate 200 which is slidably mounted to the deck base 100 is raisedand lowered to a predetermined degree by the cam grooves 106 a of thedeck base 100 when the base plate 200 is moved. Additionally, the baseplate 200 is elastically supported toward the front portion of the deckbase 100 by a pair of springs 210 a disposed, respectively, between apair of first spring holding projections 108 a and a pair of secondspring holding projections 203 a and 203 b (One of the springs 210 a isshown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, and the other spring 210 a, which is notshown, is disposed opposite thereto). The first spring holdingprojections 108 a are formed at both sidewalls 101 and 102 of the deckbase 100, and a pair of second spring holding projections 203 a and 203b are formed at both sides of the base plate 200. Further, a pair oflocking projections 204 a and 204 b are formed at the rear portion ofthe base plate 200. The locking projections 204 a and 204 b contact withthe rear end of the caddy 300 which is inserted into the deck base 100Accordingly, when the rear end of the caddy 300, which is inserted intothe deck base 100, is contacted with the locking projections 204 a and204 b of the base plate 200, the base plate 200 begins to be advancedtoward the rear portion of the deck base 100 along with the caddy 300.In such a situation, the base plate 200 is raised to a predetermineddegree by the cam grooves 106 a to be locked with a locking means 400and be positioned thereat. The locking means 400 will be describedlater.

[0070] Meanwhile, a longitudinal opening 200 a is defined at the baseplate 200, and a spindle motor 211 having a turntable 211 a is mountedon the front portion of the base plate 200 adjacent to the longitudinalopening. An optical disc D which is mounted on a caddy 300 to be loadedis chucked with respect to the turntable 211 a. A pickup unit 213 ismovably disposed at a pair of guiding shafts 214 a and 214 b which lieacross the longitudinal opening 200 a in parallel relation to eachother. The pickup unit 213 has an optical head 213 a. A guiding holder213 b extends from a side of the pickup unit 213. The guiding holder 213b is engaged with a lead screw 215 a connected to the stepping motor215. Accordingly, when the stepping motor 215 is driven, the pickup unit213 travels along the guiding shafts 214 a and 214 b.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9, the caddy 300 is provided with a caddy tray310 and a caddy cover 320. The caddy tray 310 is slidably coupled to thecaddy cover 320. A disc loading section 311 is provided on the caddytray 310. A receiving opening 311 a is defined at the middle portion ofthe disc loading section 311 to receive the spindle motor 211. Alongitudinal opening 311 b is designed to intercommunicate with thereceiving opening 311 a to serve as a travel path for the pickup unit213. Further, a pair of bosses 312 a and 312 b having holes forpreventing separation are disposed on both lower sides of the caddy tray310. A pair of projections 216 a and 216 b for preventing separation areprojected approximately from the middle portions of the base plate 200and inserted into the separation preventing holes of the bosses 312 aand 312 b. Consequently, the caddy 300 which is inserted into the deckbase 100 and thus moved to a loading position is not separated therefromwhile moving. A damper 321 is disposed at the middle portion of thecaddy cover 320. Additionally, a locking elevation 322 is formed at alower side of the caddy cover 320. The locking elevation 322 may beformed either at both sides of the caddy cover 320, or at one side ofthe caddy cover 320. Function of the locking elevation 322 will bedescribed later.

[0072] The locking means 400 comprises a locking groove 410 defined at aside of the base plate 200, and a locker 420. The locker 420 has alocking lever 421 selectively inserted into the locking groove 410, anda locking piece 422. The locker 420 is pivotally coupled to a boss 107formed at a sidewall 101 of the deck base 100 by a pin 430. The locker420 which is coupled with the boss 107 is elastically supported by aspring 440 in a counterclockwise direction. Initially, when the baseplate 200 is in a retracted position, the locking lever 421 of thelocker 420 is separated from the locking groove 410 of the base plate200. Then, when the base plate 200 is advanced and the locking groove410 reaches to the locking lever 421, the locker 420 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction by a retraction force of the spring 440 andthe locking lever 421 is inserted into the locking groove 410 so thatthe base plate 200 is locked.

[0073] The base plate 200 which is locked by the locking means 400 isunlocked by a unlocking means 500 which is operated in an ejection mode,and the base plate 200 is returned to its initial position by springs210 a disposed at both sides thereof.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 10, the unlocking means 500 is provided with afirst unlocking projection 510 formed on the locking piece 422 of thelocker 420, and a first unlocking lever 520 extending from the pickupunit 213 to be selectively in contact with the first unlockingprojection 510. The pickup unit 200 is rapidly moved in acircumferential direction of the optical disc D in the ejection mode.Therefore, the first unlocking lever 520 pushes the first unlockingprojection 510 on the locking piece 422 so that the locker 420 isrotated in a clockwise direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, thelocker 420 shown in a solid line is rotated by the first unlocking lever520 to the position shown in a two-dot chain line, and the locking lever421 is separated from the locking groove 410 of the base plate 200.

[0075] Meanwhile, a reference numeral 600 in FIGS. 11 and 12 designatesa guiding slider. The guiding slider 600 is disposed at the inner sideof the sidewall 101 of the deck base 100 to guide the movement of thecaddy 300 which is inserted/withdrawn into/from the deck base 100. Theguiding slider 600 is advanced/retracted in a range of a predeterminedstroke, and is elastically supported toward the front portion of thedeck base 100 by a spring 620 which is disposed between the springholding projection 610 of guiding slider 600 and holding projections(not shown) of the sidewall 101 of the deck base 100. Further, a secondunlocking lever 630 extends from a side of the guiding slider 600, whilea bent press part 640 is formed at the other side of the guiding slider600.

[0076] The second unlocking lever 630, the press part 640, and thesecond unlocking projection 650 formed at the locking piece 422 of thelocker 420 constitute an emergency ejection means. Here, the press part640 is exposed outward through an emergency ejection hole 130 b which isdefined at the front panel 130. Accordingly, users may press the presspart 640 of the guiding slider 600 with a pointed means (not shown)through the emergency ejection hole 130 b from the outside. When thepress part 640 is pressed by a pointed means, the guiding slider 600 isadvanced within its predetermined stroke, and the second unlocking lever630 pushes the second unlocking projection 650 of the locker 420.Accordingly as shown in FIG. 11, the locker 420 is rotated as shown in adouble-dot chain line, and the locking lever 421 of the locker 420 isseparated from the locking groove 410 of the base plate 200 so that thebase plate 200 is unlocked. Such an emergency ejection means helps toforcibly withdraw the caddy when the optical disc driving apparatusstops operating due to an abnormality, etc.

[0077] Further, according to the present invention, the optical discdriving apparatus has a caddy holding means for holding the cover 320 ofthe caddy 300 which is withdrawn when the disc is ejected by theunlocking means of the emergency ejection means, thereby exclusivelywithdrawing the caddy tray 310. Therefore, the optical disc drivingapparatus of the present invention can be used in a caddy type as wellas a tray type.

[0078] The caddy holding means has a holder 700, and a locking elevation322. The holder 700 is disposed at a front side of the deck base 100.The holder 700 is upwardly and downwardly movable. The locking elevation322 is formed at the caddy cover 320.

[0079] A locking protrusion 710 is formed at an upper portion of theholder 700, and a movement projection 720 is formed at a front portionof the holder 700. The movement projection 720 is projected through amoving hole 130 c which is defined at the front panel 130. When theholder 700 is moved upward, as shown in FIG. 12, the locking protrusion710 is raised higher than the bottom 104 of the deck base 100.Consequently, the locking elevation 322 of the caddy cover 320 is lockedwith the locking protrusion 710, while the caddy 300 is withdrawn, sothat the caddy cover 320 is not withdrawn outward. Then, when the caddytray 310 is pulled, the caddy tray 310 is slid from the caddy cover 320to be withdrawn outward. Thus, the optical disc D is easily withdrawnfrom the caddy tray 310 which is withdrawn as described above. Also, thereplacement and loading of the optical disc D are convenientlyperformed.

[0080] Hereinafter, a method for driving the optical disc according toone preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described withrespect to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15.

[0081] First, in the initial state which is shown in FIG. 13, the caddy300 is pushed into the deck base 100 by physical force (Step 61). Then,as the rear end of the caddy 300 is contacted with the lockingprojection 204 a of the base plate 200, the base plate 200 is advancedwith the caddy 300 and is locked by the locking means at a predeterminedposition (Step 62). FIG. 14 shows the optical disc D loaded and chucked.In this situation, the information is recorded and/or reproduced by apredetermined signal applied from outside (Step 63).

[0082] When the signal for ejection is applied in Step 63 (Step 64), thepickup unit is moved in a circumferential direction of the optical discD (Step 65). Accordingly, the unlocking lever of the pickup unit iscontacted with the unlocking projection of the locker, thereby unlockingthe base plate 200 (Step 66). Consequently, the base plate 200 isreturned to its initial position by a retraction force of the spring,and the caddy 300 is withdrawn outward (Step 67). Then, the userdetermines whether to proceed the operation or not (Step 68). If theuser determines to proceed the operation, he replaces the optical disc Dwith a new one and inserts the new disc D (Step 69) for loading.

[0083] The method for driving a caddy-type optical disc has beendescribed as above. Further, the present invention offers a method fordriving a tray-type optical disc which is shown in FIG. 16.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 16, according to the method for driving thetray-type optical disc, first, it is determined whether it is in thecaddy holding mode or not (Step 71). When it is determined as a caddyholding mode, then the caddy holding means is operated (Step 72). Ifnot, the caddy 300 is withdrawn (Step 72 a′) The user may use the caddyholding means at his will. When the caddy holding means is operated, thecaddy tray is withdrawn outward but not the caddy cover (Step 73). Sincethe other steps are identical with those of the method for driving thecaddy-type optical disc described above with respect to FIG. 15, likesteps will be given the same reference numerals and further descriptionwill be omitted.

[0085]FIG. 17 is a flow chart for explaining a method for driving theoptical disc according to the second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the method for emergency ejection is shown.

[0086] The emergency ejection is to protect the optical disc drivingapparatus as well as the optical disc by forcibly withdrawing the caddywhen the optical disc driving apparatus stops operating due to anabnormality, or the like during information recording and/orreproducing.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 17, when the operation of the optical discdriving apparatus is stopped while the information is recorded and/orreproduced (Step 81), it is detected so that the emergency ejectionmeans is operated (Step 82). Then, the emergency ejection means unlocksthe base plate (Step 83) so that the caddy is withdrawn (Step 84).Accordingly, even when the optical disc driving apparatus is stopped byan abnormal cause, the disc is not left in the deck base, therefore,possible damage to the disc and to the optical disc driving apparatus isprevented.

[0088] As described above, according to the optical disc drivingapparatus of the present invention, since the manual type disc loadingstructure is employed instead of the loading motor, parts requiredtherefor are reduced. Accordingly, the product has a simpler structure,and requires fewer manufacturing processes and costs are decreased, sothat the price can be considerably less.

[0089] Further, according to the optical disc driving apparatus of thepresent invention, since the loading motor, the gear train structure, orthe like are not employed, space is less required so that the parts ofthe optical disc driving apparatus can be efficiently arranged and theproduct can be made much smaller.

[0090] Still further, since the optical disc driving apparatus of thepresent invention can be used as the caddy-type as well as thetray-type, the user has the convenience of using the same. Also, opticaldiscs of different types can be used by the present invention. That is,according to the present invention, the product has much improvedcompatibility.

[0091] While the present invention has been shown and described withreference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may beeffected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for driving an optical discemploying a caddy, wherein the optical disc driving apparatus comprises:a means for guiding the movement of a base plate, on which an opticaldisc rotation means and an optical device are mounted, to the opticaldisc loading and chucking positions while the base plate is moved byphysical force exerted to the caddy inserted into a deck base; a meansfor locking the base plate which is moved to the optical disc loadingand chucking positions by the guiding means; and an ejection means. 2.An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physical force is anartificial pressing force exerted by a user, the rotation means is aspindle motor, and the optical device is a pickup unit having an opticalhead.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guiding meanscomprises: a pair of sliding holes respectively defined at the rearportions of both sidewalls of a deck base, facing each other; a pair ofcam grooves having inclined surfaces of a predetermined degree, formedat the front portions of both sidewalls of a deck base while facing eachother; a pair of first guiding projections formed at both rear portionsof a base plate, and are inserted into the sliding holes; and a pair ofsecond guiding projections formed at both front portions of the baseplate, and are inserted into the cam grooves.
 4. An apparatus as claimedin claim 2, wherein the base plate locking means comprises: a lockinghole defined at a side surface of the base plate; a locker having alocking lever to be selectively inserted into the locking hole, andpivotally mounted to the deck base by a pin; and a spring disposed atthe pin of the locker, to elastically support the locker in acounterclockwise direction.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4,wherein the ejection means comprises: a means for unlocking a baseplate; and an elastic means for elastically supporting the base plate toreturn the base plate to the initial position in response to unlockingthe base plate by the unlocking means, and a rear end surface of a caddyis unlocked with a pair of locking projections formed at the rearportion of the base plate so that the caddy is withdrawn while the baseplate is moved to the initial position.
 6. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the unlocking means comprises: an unlocking projectionformed at an upper surface of a locking piece which is integrally formedat the locker; and an unlocking lever integrally formed at a pickup unitto be selectively in contact with the unlocking projection, to push theunlocking projection in response to the movement of the pickup unit androtate the locker, and the pickup unit is rapidly moved in a radialdirection of an optical disc in an ejection mode.
 7. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the elastic means is a pair of springsrespectively disposed between a pair of first spring holding projectionsformed at both sides of a base plate and a pair of second spring holdingprojections formed at sides of both sidewalls of the deck base.
 8. Anapparatus for driving an optical disc comprising: a deck base; a caddyonto which an optical disc is received, and is inserted into the deckbase; a base plate movably mounted to the deck base, having a pair oflocking projections at a rear portion thereof which are in contact withthe rear end surface of the caddy; a means for guiding the movement ofthe base plate to the optical disc loading and chucking positions whilethe base plate is moved by physical force exerted to the caddy insertedinto a deck base; a means for locking the base plate which is moved tothe optical disc loading and chucking positions by the guiding means; ameans mounted to the base plate, for rotating the optical disc at apredetermined speed; a means movably mounted to the base plate, and ismoved in a radial direction of the optical disc which is rotated by thedisc rotation means to record and/or reproduce an information on/from arecordable track of the optical disc; a means for unlocking the baseplate; and an elastic means for elastically supporting the base plate soas to return the base plate to the initial position in response tounlocking the base plate by the unlocking means.
 9. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the deck base comprises a guiding slidercoupled to a sidewall thereof for guiding the movement of a caddyinserted and/or withdrawn into/from the deck base, a plate coupled to alower portion thereof, and a cover coupled to an upper portion thereof,and a front panel having a caddy entrance is coupled to a front surfaceof the upper cover.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein theguiding slider is movably disposed at a sidewall of a deck base so thatthe guiding slider is advanced/retracted in a range of a predeterminedstroke, and a spring is disposed between the guiding slider and thesidewall, to elastically support the guiding slider to its initialposition.
 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the caddy iscomprised of a caddy tray and a caddy cover and the caddy tray isslidably coupled with respect to the caddy cover, a pair of bosseshaving separation preventing holes are formed at both lower sides of thecaddy tray, and a pair of separation preventing projections are formedcorresponding to a base plate to be inserted into the separationpreventing holes of the bosses when the base plate is moved to theoptical disc loading and chucking positions, so that the caddy isprevented from being separated while moved.
 12. An apparatus as claimedin claim 10, wherein the base plate guiding means comprises: a pair ofsliding holes defined at rear portions of both sidewalls of a deck base,facing each other; a pair of cam grooves defined at front portions ofboth sidewalls of the deck base and having inclined surfaces of apredetermined degree; a pair of first guiding projections formed at rearportions of both sides of a base plate to be inserted into the slidingholes; and a pair of second guiding projections formed at front portionsof both sides of the base plate, to be inserted into the cam grooves.13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the base plate lockingmeans comprises: a locking groove defined at a side of a base plate; alocker pivotally mounted to a deck base by a pin and having a lockinglever to be selectively inserted into the locking groove; and a springdisposed at the pin of the locker, to elastically support the locker ina counterclockwise direction.
 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13,wherein the unlocking means comprises: an unlocking projection formed atan upper surface of a locking piece which is integrally formed at alocker; and an unlocking lever integrally formed at a pickup unit to beselectively in contact with the unlocking projection, and to push theunlocking projection so as to rotate the locker in response to themovement of the pickup unit, and the pickup unit is rapidly moved in aradial direction of an optical disc in the ejection mode.
 15. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the elastic means is a pair ofsprings respectively disposed between a pair of first spring holdingprojections provided to both sides of a base plate and a pair of secondspring holding projections.
 16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14further comprises an emergency ejection means for forcibly withdrawing acaddy when an optical disc driving apparatus stops operating due to anabnormality, or the like.
 17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16,wherein the emergency ejection means comprises: a second unlockingprojection formed at the other side of the upper surface of the lockingpiece, and is spaced from the first unlocking projection at apredetermined distance; a second unlocking lever extending from aguiding slider to be selectively in contact with the second unlockingprojection, to push the second unlocking projection and rotate a lockerin response to an advancing motion of the guiding slider; and a pressmember which is bent-formed at an end portion of the guiding slider,while being exposed outward through an emergency ejection hole definedat the front panel, and accordingly, the press member is pressed fromthe outside through the emergency ejection hole so as to advance theguiding slider and unlock the base plate.
 18. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the unlocking means further comprises a caddy holdingmeans for holding the cover of the caddy so as to permit the exclusivewithdrawal of the caddy tray, and accordingly, the apparatus ischaracterized as being utilized as a caddy-type as well as a tray-type.19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the caddy holding meanscomprises: a holder movably mounted to a hole defined at the front sideof a deck base, and having a locking protrusion formed at an upperportion thereof and a movement projection formed at a front portionthereof to protrude through a movement hole defined at the front panel;and at least one locking elevation formed at sides of the back of acaddy cover, and accordingly, the holder is selectively moved so thatthe locking elevation of the caddy cover is locked with the lockingprotrusion of the holder and the caddy cover is prevented from beingwithdrawn out of the deck base.
 20. An apparatus comprising: a deckbase; a caddy inserted into the deck base, the caddy onto which anoptical disc is received; a base plate movably mounted to the deck base,and having a pair of locking projections at a rear portion thereof to bein contact with the back of the caddy; a means for guiding the movementof a base plate to optical disc loading and chucking positions while thebase plate is moved by physical force exerted to the caddy inserted intothe deck base; a means for locking the base plate which is moved to theoptical disc loading and chucking positions by the guiding means; ameans mounted to the base plate, to rotate the optical disc at apredetermined speed; a means movably mounted to the base plate, and ismoved in a radial direction of the optical disc which is rotated by anoptical disc rotation means so as to record and/or reproduce aninformation on/from a recordable track of the optical disc; a means forunlocking the base plate; an elastic means for elastically supportingthe base plate so as to return the base plate to the initial position inresponse to unlocking the base plate by the unlocking means; and anemergency ejection means for forcibly withdrawing the caddy when theoptical disc driving apparatus stops operating due to an abnormality, orthe like.
 21. An apparatus comprising: a deck base; a caddy insertedinto the deck base, the caddy onto which an optical disc is received; abase plate movably mounted to the deck base, and having a pair oflocking projections at a rear portion thereof to be in contact with arear end of the caddy; a means for guiding the movement of a base plateto optical disc loading and chucking positions while the base plate ismoved by physical force exerted to the caddy inserted into the deckbase; a means for locking the base plate which is moved to the opticaldisc loading and chucking positions by the guiding means; a meansmounted to the base plate, to rotate the optical disc at a predeterminedspeed; a means movably mounted to the base plate, and is moved in aradial direction of the optical disc which is rotated by the opticaldisc rotation means so as to record and/or reproduce an informationon/from a recordable track of the optical disc; a means for unlockingthe base plate; an elastic means for elastically supporting the baseplate so as to return the base plate to the initial position in responseto unlocking the base plate by the unlocking means; and a caddy holdingmeans for holding the cover of the caddy to permit an exclusivewithdrawal of the caddy tray when the optical disc is ejected by theunlocking means.
 22. An apparatus comprising: a deck base; a caddyinserted into the deck base, the caddy onto which an optical disc isreceived; a base plate movably mounted to the deck base, and having apair of locking projections at a rear portion thereof to be in contactwith a rear end of the caddy; a means for guiding the movement of a baseplate to optical disc loading and chucking positions while the baseplate is moved by physical force exerted to the caddy inserted into adeck base; a means for locking the base plate which is moved to theoptical disc loading and chucking positions by the guiding means; aspindle motor mounted to the base plate, to chuck the optical disc androtate the optical disc at a predetermined speed; a pickup unit movablymounted to the base plate, and is moved in a radial direction of theoptical disc which is rotated by the spindle motor, to record and/orreproduce an information on/from a recordable track of the optical disc;an unlocking means for unlocking the base plate; an elastic means forelastically supporting the base plate so as to return the base plate tothe initial position in response to unlocking the base plate by theunlocking means; an emergency ejection means for forcibly withdrawingthe caddy when the optical disc driving apparatus stops operating due toan abnormality, or the like; and a caddy holding means for holding thecover of the caddy so as to permit an exclusive withdrawal of the caddytray when the optical disc is ejected by the unlocking means.
 23. Amethod for driving an optical disc comprising steps of: (A) loading anoptical disc, wherein a base plate on which a spindle motor and a pickupunit are mounted is moved to optical disc loading and chucking positionsby physical force exerted to a caddy inserted into the deck base; (B)locking the base plate which is moved to the optical disc loading andchucking positions; (C) recording and/or reproducing an information bymeans of the spindle motor and the pickup unit; and (D) unloading theoptical disc, wherein the pickup unit is rapidly moved in a radialdirection of the optical disc so as to unlock the base plate and to movethe base plate to the initial position.
 24. A method as claimed in claim23 further comprises an emergency ejection step (F) of forciblyunlocking a base plate so as to withdraw the caddy when an abnormalityoccurs during the step (C).
 25. A method as claimed in claim 23 furthercomprises: a step (F) after the ste (D), of holding a cover of a caddywhich is withdrawn to permit an exclusive withdrawal of a caddy tray outof the deck base.
 26. A method for driving an optical disc comprisingsteps of: (A) loading an optical disc, wherein a base plate on which aspindle motor and a pickup unit are mounted is moved to optical discloading and chucking positions by physical force exerted to a caddyinserted into a deck base; (B) locking the base plate which is moved tothe optical disc loading and chucking positions; (C) recording and/orreproducing an information by means of the spindle motor and the pickupunit; (D) unloading the optical disc, wherein the pickup unit is rapidlymoved in a radial direction of the optical disc so as to unlock the baseplate and to move the base plate to the initial position; (E) forciblyunlocking the base plate to withdraw the caddy when an abnormalityoccurs during the step (C); and (F) after the step (D), of holding acover of the caddy which is withdrawn to permit an exclusive withdrawalof a caddy tray out of the deck base.